Now dial. [aphetic f. ALLOWANCE.] A limited portion of food or drink or its equivalent in money given in addition to wages.

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c. 1565.  R. Baker, in Hakluyt, Voy. (1589), 141. Our lowance waxt so small … it waxed lesse and lesse.

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1612.  Rowlands, Knaue of Harts, 36. You drinke too deepe, Your lowance you exceed.

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1846.  M. A. Richardson, Borderer’s Table-bk., VI. 199 (E. D. D.). Besides their lowance.

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1881.  Cussans, Hist. Hertfordsh., III. Cashio, 320. Beaver, lunch; in the harvest field, when supplied by the master, sometimes called ’lowance.

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